Kiepenkerl, Contemporary sculpture at Hirshhorn Museum, United States
Kiepenkerl is a contemporary sculpture made of stainless steel that depicts a peddler carrying goods on his back in the posture of a traveling merchant. The polished metal creates a reflective surface that mirrors the museum's surroundings, giving the traditional figure a modern appearance.
The artwork was created in 1987 by American artist Jeff Koons as a reinterpretation of an older bronze monument from Münster, Germany. By using stainless steel, Koons reimagined the German original in a contemporary way.
The figure references an old tradition of wandering traders from northwestern Germany who carried their goods on their backs. The artwork connects this historical trading practice with modern American art.
The sculpture sits in the outdoor area of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, where it is freely accessible to visitors. You can view the figure from different angles and observe how the reflective surface changes depending on the light and your position.
The reflective steel surface is not static but changes with the seasons and light conditions, showing different reflections depending on when you visit. This makes each visit slightly different and emphasizes the transient nature of the work.
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